Working at Linnaeus University

Relocation LNU is a network whose primary goal is to offer an arena for internationally recruited employees at Linnaeus University. The group is open to all employees with an interest in meeting international faculty and staff and/or sharing their experiences about relocating to Kalmar or Växjö.

Within the framework of Relocation LNU, the university offers different types of seminars. Many of them are digital, but we also arrange meetings and activities in Kalmar and Växjö. Some of the webinars and activities are also open for accompanying partners. 

You can find upcoming events in the calendar. If you are employed we recommend you to join the Relocation group on the staff pages to find information. 

If you have any questions, you can send an e-mail to: relocation@lnu.se

Being employed at Linnaeus University means that you are a government employee and, thus, you need to be aware of and comply with the laws governing all state agencies. You are also subject to the fundamental values of Swedish society, as expressed in our constitution and laws.

These values are codified in a set of six principles that form the basis for a platform for professional ethics for all state employees: democracy, legality, objectivity, freedom of opinion, non- discrimination and equality, effectivity and service. These principles deal with developing an ethical compass and the ability to handle difficult situations and dilemmas. They also are intended to help prevent different kinds of corruption.

While the principles may seem general and vague, they influence our daily work at the university. This means, for example, that protocols and decisions are public, that anyone can ask for documents and applications from a recruitment process, and that recruitments in certain cases can be appealed. Complying with the laws and fundamental values may also affect certain processes, e.g. prolonging the recruitment of teachers, since we use external experts to the review the applications and publications in specific subjects/areas.

Another area where you need to keep in mind the foundation values is the use of funds. We need to always keep in mind that most of the university’s incomes come from the tax-payers and, thus, we need to manage expenses in an effective and accountable manner.

In Sweden, everyone has the right to contact media, a journalist or a writer and inform them about inaccuracies. State employees have also the right to report inaccuracies in their own organization anonymously and without risking being disclosed.

Treating all students and colleagues with respect and without discriminating anybody is also part of the values foundation. This is manifested practically in the ways in which we, for example, deal with examinations, students and employees with disabilities, gender equality etc.

Here is an overview of the different types of insurance that you have as an employee as Linnaeus University. However we recommend you to review your private insurances before your arrival in Sweden. The insurances provided by Linnaeus University may not cover all your needs.

Insurance for foreign visitors
The insurance applies during direct travel between the country where the insured is resident and Sweden, and 24 hours a day in Sweden.

The insurance is valid 24 hours a day in the Schengen area if the insured has a Schengen visa issued by a Swedish overseas authority. If the insured does not have a Schengen visa or if the insured has a residence permit in Sweden, the insurance is only valid in Sweden. For more information see the website of Kammarkollegiet.

Insurance at the workplace
Insurance at work and when travelling to and from work, see AFA´s website.

Business Travel Insurance
Employees at Linnaeus University are covered by a business travel insurance. When traveling abroad, it is important to bring along an insurance card, which is available at the Office of HR. More information can be found at Kammarkollegiet.

Group Life Insurance
Government employees are covered by a Group Life Insurance. The spouse and children are beneficiaries in case the employee passes away. National Pension Board, SPV via e-mail lnu@spv.se

Insurances that you will need outside of work is a home insurance (hemförsäkring) as well as an insurance for accidents on your spare time. A home insurance usually covers personal property, personal liability, and legal expenses. Most home insurances also have travel protection in case of illness or accident. Check this webpage for information regarding insurances for children.

Loss of income if you fall ill for a long period of time is normally not covered by your scholarship. Since you are not employed, you cannot receive sick pay from Linnaeus University or sickness benefit from the Social Insurance Agency (Försäkringskassan).

However, doctoral students with scholarships are covered by 'Health and parental insurance for doctoral students with scholarships'. The insurance applies when the doctoral student's scholarship is reduced due to his/her absence from studies in the case of illness or parental leave. The insurance consists of three parts: sickness benefit, parental benefit and temporary parental benefit. Please read the full policy conditions at Kammarkollegiet.

Euraxess is a pan-European initiative backed by the European Union and its Member States. Euraxess provides information and assistance to mobile researchers - by means of the portal Euraxess and with the support of national Euraxess Centres. Linnaeus University is one of 18 Euraxess Centers in Sweden.

The portal contains practical information concerning professional and daily life in Sweden, research news, as well as information about jobs and funding opportunities. The Centers provide assistance in matters related to mobility for researchers and their families. All services of the EURAXESS network are free of charge.

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This brochure gives a quick overview of what international employees need to do when arriving in Sweden. It includes, for example, information about authorities such as the Swedish Migration Board, the Swedish Tax Agency, the Swedish Social Insurance Agency and information about getting a bank account etc. The brochure is available in digital form.

If you prefer a printed version, please contact relocation@lnu.se

Knowing some Swedish will simplify your everyday life as well as help you integrate at the workplace. Therefore we recommend that you learn Swedish during your stay in Sweden. However it is important to discuss your needs for learning Swedish with your manager, in order to check if the studies can be included within your working schedule.

Linnaeus University offers Swedish courses free of charge for international employees. Read more in the staff pages. 

Accompanying partners are able to study Swedish through Kunskapsnavet and/or Komvux (education for adults), as they also offer free courses. Folkuniversitetet also offers online studies, as well as Duolingo.